The Lesser of Two Evils: How Will Black Virginians Move Forward After Northam And Fairfax

Allegations

Courtesy: Virginia National Guard

Written by Anaya Ray

African American Virginians are at a crossroad after the recent controversies surrounding Gov.
Ralph Northam and Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax.

A 1984 Eastern Virginia Medical School yearbook is said to have Gov. Northam dressed in
blackface standing next to another person dressed as a Ku Klux Klan member. The picture
rattled people throughout Virginia leading to even officials demanding his resignation. A
resignation that is completely called for.

Since the early 1800’s blackface has been used as a racist mechanism to further tear down and
dehumanize African Americans, characterizing blacks as lazy, ignorant, and thieves.

Still after milestones achieved in African Americans gaining their freedom and rights within the
United States, they are still faced with racism and discrimination. Black people are still faced
with the haunting truth that racism still exist in many forms.
This leads to the question of how seriously African Americans take these different forms of
racism. Are blacks as a whole still standing up for what is right?

It’s a tough decision for black Virginians who are now at a fork in the road and have to decide
which way to continue.

Even if Gov. Northam was to resign who would be next in line? Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax who is also
making headlines across news outlets surrounding two women coming forward on sexual
assault and rape allegations.

Although both Northam and Fairfax denied all allegations, citizens are finding their denies hard
to believe.

One, because the alleged blackface photo isn’t Northams only photo where he is depicted in
such form. He confessed that he did in fact, “darkened his face with shoe polish for a Michael
Jackson impersonation contest,” as reported by USA Today. Michael Jackson’s Thriller released
in 1982 just two years before the alleged blackface photo.

Two, both women, Vanessa Tyson and Meredith Watson, have detailed stories about the
alleged attacks by Fairfax. According to CNN, Tyson issued a detailed statement recalling the
incident as, “what began as consensual kissing quickly turned into a sexual assault.” While
Watson’s statement recalls Fairfax’s alleged attack as “premeditated and aggressive,” according
to Fox News.

Watson even has Facebook messages during the time of the 2017 election in Virginia where she
exclaimed, “this is absolutely disgusting! This dude raped me.”

“[Of] course I want to say something. He shouldn’t be running for office. I just don’t know what
I can do,” she continued to say to the unknown friend on Facebook.

African American Virginians are at a loss for words, as officials who they’ve put their trust in are
now in the limelight for possibly being a rapist and a racist. With much to consider and weigh
upon black Virginians have a choice to make, tell Northam to resign and let Fairfax take his spot,
bypass what Northam did and let him stay in office, or demand both to resign and have possibly
a Republican take the lead.
Much to consider, to weigh upon, and to decide, but regardless African Americans across the
United States continue to stand up for what is right and demand respect from all people.